Police said the woman had been drinking in a bar and left the child in a car after she was refused another drink.

Fred Hanson The Patriot Ledger @Fhanson_Ledger

HINGHAM – A 21-year-old woman has been charged with child endangerment after bringing a 2½-month child with her when she went to drink at a local restaurant.

After a bartender refused to serve her another drink, the woman brought the infant to a parked car and left the child inside in while she went back into the restaurant, said Hingham Police Sgt. Steven Dearth.

“The child did not appear to be injured but was transported to the hospital for evaluation,” Dearth said.

Police are not releasing the name of the woman, who was also charged with disturbing the peace. Police have also asked the state Department of Children and Families to investigate.

The incident took place at 9:48 a.m. Thursday at Stars restaurant on Route 3A.

Dearth said an off-duty Boston Police detective who was at the restaurant saw the woman at sitting at the bar drinking with an infant.

“When the woman ordered another drink, the bartender refused to serve her,” Dearth said. “After being refused that drink, she walked out with the infant.”

The woman walked back into the bar 10 minutes later, ordered a drink, and was again refused service, he said.

After calling police, the detective met Hingham officers in the lot at the woman’s car.

“The car was not running and was locked, but officers could see a fleece blanket covering a child seat in the back seat,” Dearth said.

The woman then approached the officers, who asked for her keys.

“Under the blanket was a 2½ month old child who was awake and and appeared to be in good condition,” Dearth said.

The officers determined the child had been in the car approximately 20 minutes, he said.

“Officers detected alcohol and could see that the woman’s eyes were red, glassy and bloodshot,” Dearth said. “She questioned why the officers were there. She became loud and created a disturbance in the lot as officers tried to obtain relevant information.”

Hingham Fire Department paramedics were called in to evaluate the infant and brought the child to South Shore Hospital for examination, he said.

Dearth said the woman will be arraigned on the charges either Thursday or Friday in Hingham District Court.